Kentucky advances in SEC Tournament with blowout win over Vanderbilt

Don’t tune out yet, we may be on to something here. Led by a three-RBI day from Ryan Ritter, Kentucky dominated from start to finish on Friday in a 10-2 thrashing of Vanderbilt to advance in the SEC Tournament. The ‘Cats racked up 16 total hits compared to just seven for the Commodores.

UK will advance to the fourth round of the event, which is double-elimination. The ‘Cats will play again on Saturday against the loser of tonight’s matchup between LSU and Tennessee. A start time has not been announced.

‘Cats get gutsy effort from pitching staff

Ryan Hagenow took the mound on Friday looking at the most important start of his career as a Wildcat. Coming into Lexington last season touted as one of the best high school arms in the country, it’s admittedly been an up and down stretch throughout his first couple of years.

The sophomore struggled throughout the season with consistency, posting a 6.07 ERA while averaging over a walk a game. It didn’t get any easier with the fact that he was up against a baseball powerhouse in Vanderbilt.

Hagenow ran into trouble from the jump. The righty walked two in the first inning before getting out. He was taken out before recording an out in the third inning to try and limit the damage. Daniel Harper followed out of the pen, allowed a sac fly to tie the game, and then settled down back to his usual dominant self.

Holding the lead, Kentucky turned to Tyler Guilfoil to let the SEC First Teamer work his magic. The stud reliever came in and essentially shut down the ‘Dores despite allowing a lone run in the seventh inning.

Bats heat up to sink the ‘Dores

Oraj Anu, the postseason hero so far, got the ball rolling on offense Friday afternoon with a RBI that scored Ritter after the shortstop doubled to get on base.

The 1⃣0⃣0⃣th hit of @OrajAnu_Bb's career drives in @RyRit47 and gives us a 1-0 edge! pic.twitter.com/bMKXeCJY79

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 27, 2022

Despite giving up the lead an inning later, the Wildcat offense made sure to stay hot and on the attack. Two singles and a walk set up Kentucky with the bases loaded in the fourth frame. John Thrasher laid down a perfectly executed bunt single to score the run.

She's a beaut, @john_thrasher22!

Thrasher with the perfect execution to score @adamfogel55 and the @hunterjumpp follows with a SAC fly.

3-1, UK; B4. pic.twitter.com/4fOxuHzb7Q

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 27, 2022

Kentucky tacked on a pair more in the fifth inning. Ryan Ritter lined a RBI single to left field before eventually scoring on a squeeze bunt from Devin Burkes.

UK stuck the final dagger in with a five-run seventh inning that saw them open up an eight-run lead. The inning was topped off by Ritter who ripped a two-RBI double off the right-center fence. Kentucky’s 10 runs were the most the ‘Cats have scored in an SEC Tournament game since 2006.

RITT!@RyRit47 goes off the wall to make it 10-2! pic.twitter.com/b4CT1VTu0b

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 27, 2022